It was considered by the UNESCO as “City of design” to be a cultural and artistic global city of 1st level.

Galleries and Museums

If you want to get to know this magnific city, you can not leave its violent and oppressive past behind.

I advise you to visit the remains of the berlin wall, the Brandenburg Gate (symbol of reunification of the country) and the Topography of Terror Museum (also known by the Germans as “Erinnerungsorten” – places of remembrance and memory which recount some of the more bizarre events of the Nazi history).

If you enjoy art I recommend you to visit the Bauhaus museum and the Island of Museums where you will find five different museums:

Bauhaus Museum:

Is a museum dedicated to the architectural style of Bauhaus.

Museum Pergamon

One of the most popular attractions in Berlin, the Pergamon Museum is world famous for its archaeological holdings.

Today, it accommodates three separate museums: the Collection of Classical Antiquities, the Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Museum of Islamic Art.

In the Collection of Classical Antiquities, the 2nd century BC Pergamon Altar, considered a Hellenistic masterpiece, has a frieze depicting a battle between the Gods and the Giants; the Market Gate of Miletus shows an important example of Roman architecture.

Altes Museum:

Is one of several internationally renowned museums on Museum Island in Berlin.

The royally appointed commission, which was responsible for the conception of the museum, decided to display only “high” art in the museum. This precluded the incorporation of ethnography, prehistory and the excavated treasures of the Near East.

Museum Neues

The Neues Museum on Berlin’s Museum Island was opened in 1859 to bring relief to the over-popular and over-crowded Altes Museum. It was one of the most ambitious building projects of its time due to its use of new industrial construction technologies such as the steam engine.

The Neues Museum will once again house the archaeological collections of the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection, the Museum of Pre- and Early History, as well as works from the Collection of Classical Antiquities.

Alte National Galleries

The Alte National Galerie (Old National Gallery) houses one of the most important collections of 19th century painting in Germany and includes masterpieces by Caspar David Friedrich, Adolph Menzel Edouard Manet Claude Monet, not to mention Auguste Renoir and Auguste Rodin.

Museum Bode

The museum’s treasures include the sculpture collection with works of art from the middle ages to the 18th century. Of particular interest are the halls devoted to the Italian Renaissance with the glazed terracottas by Luca della Robbia and other masterworks from Donatello, Desiderio da Settignano and works from the German late Gothic school. The Bode museum is best known for its Byzantine art collection and the coin cabinet.

Good news! On Sundays the museums are free!

Points of Interest and fun

And why not to get some knowledge while you have some fun?

The city is known for having one of the largest zoos in the world (with low price), or ride the fastest elevator in Europe that rises the Potsdamer Platz so you can enjoy the magnificent view over the city.

Refering to nightly entertainment, you can not miss Kreuzberg, nightclubs and bars make this the best place if you want to spend your time with the youth in a fancy neighborhood

Design Shops

Gestalten:

Like all the best concept stores it combines a healthy amount of the literary (including rare archive items that fans will swoon over) with designer nick-nacks (think Bearbricks, quirky Lola Goldstein ceramics, and Japanese-imported novelties) that make good gifting options for the fussy.

Dudes Factory:

Bringing new meaning to customization, this store in Berlin’s bustling Mitte recently opened under two ex-advertising execs.

The concept? Bring in some of the city’s finest illustrators, street artists and graphic designers, challenge them with unusual briefs, materials and techniques, and let the customer create their own final product.

Design Centers

IDZ:

Since its founding in 1968, the International Design Center Berlin (IDZ) has been a communications platform connecting business, society and culture, and is dedicated to current as well as future topics and questions in design. Design comprises much more than aesthetics: design is a holistic process.

Luxury properties

Country House Villa:

The outstanding location, a straight-line layout and grand living comfort are the hallmarks of this property. In refurbishing it, the current owners took great care to not only use the finest materials, but also to preserve the original decoration. This property offers a unique combination of the typical Berlin Altbau charm and the benefits of modern architecture and interior design.

Art Shows

Chert:

A Kreuzberg institution since its opening in 2008, Chert’s multi-national aspect means that there’s always something of interest on show, from points right across the globe. With a current roster of around ten artists, including Mexico’s Alejandro Almanza Pereda, the British sculptor Carla Scott Fullerton and Swiss experimental installationist Jérémie Gindre, Chert is a small, perfectly formed and consistently rewarding experience.

Galerie Max Hetzler:

Galerie Max Hetzler’s current position as one of the city’s most respected and popular art spaces is the result of decades of careful operation and ambitious, long-running and perfectly balanced exhibitions, drawing on some of the biggest names in European and US contemporary art of the past few decades, as well as foregrounding lesser-known, yet equally deserving names.

Showrooms

Haworth:

Hotels and Resorts

One of the most famous hotels in berlin is Adlon, with very elegant and glamorous decoration, but if you prefer something more economical i recommend Q! Hotel berlin, which as innovation and creative design for low budget travelers.

Restaurants

After a day full of emotions can opt for the typical and famous berlin food. I suggest the:

Gambrinus – Served typical Berlin food

Aigner – The prices are a little high, but is considered one of the best in Germany